Golden Farms chicken plant worker dies after contracting coronavirus

Friends and Golden Farms co-workers have paid tribute to a 51-year-old Newcomb man who died after falling ill with coronavirus.

A BREAKWATER chicken farm worker has died after falling ill with coronavirus.

The 51-year-old male worker, identified as Kelvin Nguyen, is understood to have contracted COVID-19 while working at the Golden Farms plant.

It’s understood the Newcomb man died alone at his home and was found by emergency workers on Sunday afternoon.

The news of the death came as workers returned to the Turosi owned processing plant for the first time since it was closed by the Department of Health and Human Services on July 28.

Turosi chief executive officer Phil Hand said all employees were deeply saddened by the death of a long-term employee.

“He had worked at Turosi for over fifteen years and was a valued member of the Geelong team. He was 51 years old,” Mr Hand said on Monday.

Golden Farms chicken processing plant in Breakwater. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We were informed he had tested positive for COVID-19 and of his passing by Barwon Health, late yesterday.”

Mr Hand said Turosi will work with the man’s family to provide what support it can through this very difficult time.

“Our sincere sympathy goes out to his family and friends,” Mr Hand said.

“Out of respect for them, we will not comment further at this time.”

Friends and co-workers paid tribute to Mr Nguyen on social media expressing their shock at his death.

One friend said Mr Nguyen appeared “so healthy” and that “covid is so scary”.

The man’s death is believed to be the second reported coronavirus fatality in Geelong, after an Opal South Valley resident died late last month.

The Geelong Advertiser understands Golden Farms workers were not officially told of their colleague’s death before presenting to work and learned of the news through text message and social media posts.

The outbreak is believed to have stemmed from a single male employee who tested positive for coronavirus after attending work the day prior.

The DHHS said on Sunday 40 cases had been linked to the site.

Mr Hand said the company was working Barwon Health, the DHHS and WorkSafe Victoria and taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the workforce.

“We thank all our employees for their ongoing efforts as many prepare to return to work,” he said.

Employees are now subject to daily temperature checking as part of suite of measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 including workforce zoning, extra time between shifts, increased use of personal protective equipment and a strict policy of no external visitors to the site.

Originally published as Golden Farms chicken plant worker dies after contracting coronavirus